Thursday, October 31, 1996
MUSIC:
Coolidge, Havens spread positive messages through their musicBy
Jasmine Pachnanda
Daily Bruin Contributor
After a total of 50 years in the music business, singers Rita
Coolidge and Richie Havens have seen it all. They have watched
music progress from the bubble gum tunes of the late ’50s to the
socially conscious hip-hop and rap of today.
Friday night they will bring this extensive background to the
Veterans Wadsworth Theater where they will perform new tunes and
old favorites. Throughout their wide-reaching musical experiences,
they’ve always appreciated music that sends a message.
"People didn’t understand music about real things before. We
were more simplistic as a generation to deal with the issues in the
’50s," Havens says.
Similarly, Coolidge feels that in years past, music dealt more
with feelings rather than the problems and concerns themselves.
"Music should speak about a social change and not just human
condition. In the ’90s, music is going to reflect the instability
of now, with the economy and drug problems," Coolidge says.
In their upcoming performance, Coolidge and Havens hope to bring
this sense of awareness to the audience through their music.
Coolidge will sing cuts from her recently released album entitled
"Out of the Blues." This album, although just released in the
United States, has already been a hit with the Asian market.
"I want to send a message of hope through my music. I want it
reflecting life as a positive experience," Coolidge says.
Havens will be singing a mix of his old blues and folk songs as
well as some new tunes.
"I want to include everybody. Music is about today, yesterday
and tomorrow," Havens says.
And for these two singers, music is especially about today.
Despite the longevity of their careers, both Havens and Coolidge
admit that they are still learning as they continue with their
musical careers.
"The older I get, the less I know. When I graduated from
college, I really thought I had everything under control," Coolidge
says. "As we mature, we realize how great and enormous this world
is. … You must simply allow things to happen."
Havens agrees that life experiences are the best way to learn,
adding, "I’m still a student, too. There is so much to be open to
that students have to have an open mind for everything. It’s a
different way of learning but a more natural way."
Through their music, both Havens and Coolidge hope to educate
their listeners as well.
"We are still learning and becoming ourselves," Havens says. "My
work is trying to get people to see how people can make a
difference."
Coolidge also feels that her music is about helping people, but
in a more emotional sense.
"Music is about moving people’s hearts and making them feel
better. If one person is touched, then my job has been done,"
Coolidge says.
Coolidge, who began her professional career as a back-up singer,
has worked toward this goal through the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s,
winning two Grammy awards with former husband Kris Kristofferson
for best duo; producing the smash hit theme "Love Came for Me" from
the movie "Splash" with Tom Hanks; and most recently, performing at
the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Even though Coolidge has had the opportunity to work with Jimi
Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, there are other times which
offer as much satisfaction.
"Some of the most rewarding moments are not always in front of
an audience but in the writing process and singing with close
friends," Coolidge says.
Singing with friends is how Havens got his start in music which
led to a successful career spanning three decades with his debut in
1969 at Woodstock. Since then, he has produced albums, acted in
theater and done voice-over work for radio and television
commercials for various companies such as Kodak, McDonald’s and
Budweiser.
However, throughout his lengthy and thriving career, Haven has
always remembered why he became a musician in the first place.
"I don’t think of myself in the music business but in the
communications business. It is a way of telling stories of cultures
and people. Folk music is the history of us."
With this in mind, Havens reaches out to different people by
setting up various environmental organizations for children.
"The world has completely changed due to young people. They are
the true observers of the environment," Havens says.
It is their dedication and commitment to both the old and new
aspects of music which drives their upcoming performance. "My
experience with kids who are growing up at this time is that there
seems to be a vacuum for music and lyrics. I am looking forward to
performing at UCLA," Coolidge says.
Havens, who will be singing older pieces by other performers as
well as his original music, also looks forward to the performance.
"I believe older music should be heard by people who won’t hear it
on the radio. Music belongs to everyone, not just one group,"
Havens says.
MUSIC: Havens and Coolidge will perform Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.
at the Veterans Wadsworth Theater. Tickets are available at the
UCLA Central Ticket Office and at all Ticketmaster locations. For
more info, call 825-2101.
UCLA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Singer Rita Coolidge will perform Friday at the Veterans
Wadsworth Theater along with Richie Havens.